Wallis Sands closed after possible shark sighting

Amy Bassett, spokesman for the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation, said the assistant manager at the beach spotted what he believes to be an eight-foot shark following a school of stripers in about four feet of water off the beach.

The waters at Wallis Sands were evacuated before 3 p.m. and Bassett said water access is being prohibited until at least Wednesday.

Everyone else along the coast is also on heightened alert, especially down at Hampton Beach.

"Our lifeguards are in the tower and in the chairs making sure there is nothing out there," Bassett said.

The U.S. Coast Guard has been called in to help look for the possible shark to confirm it.

"If it is in the area, then we will have an even more heightened alert and make sure we are paying attention and making those calls if we will open again tomorrow. If it is a shark and it stays in the area, obviously we'll reassess our plan in the morning," Bassett said.